SACRAMENTO AREA MIATA OWNERS ASSOCIATION! NOVEMBER, 2009

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A notice from your Newsletter Editor...

From Mark Brooks:The December i s sue o f Miatatudes will be my last.. after owning it for 2 years, I ’m s tepp ing down and turning over the reigns to Michelle Thomas. So, to help with the transition, when you send me your December articles, please ALSO send them to Michelle at k9nurse@comcast.net . Januar y wil l be her first month owning the process, and I’m confident you’ll be ju s t a s happy wi th her newsletter as you have been wi th mine ( i f not more happy!).

On a separate note - I’d like to of fer a hear t fe l t and sincere ‘thank you’ to all who donated to the Lupus Foundation. The fact that we raised over $500 is amazing! Your generosity and support is definitely appreciated!

Mark

MiataTudes

Last week (October 22nd) one of my chi ldhood icons p a s s e d a w a y . “SOUPY SALES” I grew up on the east coast and one of my l a t e m o r n i n g diversions besides “Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody” and

“The Lone Ranger” was Soupy Sales. He was best known for his children’s television show, which was televised nationally on ABC in 1959. Slapstick and improvised in nature, it was a rapid-fire stream of comedy sketches, gags, and puns. His signature trademark was receiving a pie in the face, on top of the head, a pie to both ears from behind, moving into a stationary pie, and countless other variations. He claimed more than 20,000 pies had hit him and his visitors during his career.

Appearing on the show were both puppets and live performers. The puppets were:

White Fang, "The Biggest and Meanest Dog in the USA," who appeared only as a giant white shaggy paw with black triangular felt "claws" jutting out from the corner of the screen. Black Tooth, "The Biggest and Sweetest Dog in the USA", also seen only as a giant black paw with white triangular felt (just the opposite of

White Fang), and with more feminine, but similarly unintelligible, dialogue. Pookie the Lion, a lion puppet appearing in a large window behind Soupy (1950s), was a hipster with a rapier wit. For example: Soupy: "Do you know why my life is so miserable?" Pookie: "You got me!" Soupy: "That's why!" I can still remember seeing Soupy hanging out in his 'home', doing the Soupy Shuffle, or “The Mouse” and being interrupted by a big paw (White Fang or Black Tooth), puppets in the window (Pookie or Hippie), knocks at the door (hands, water, or naked ladies). Soupy will be remembered.

Busy Month: We have had a busy month between newsletters. Trip to the Mountains, runs in the Valley, trip to the Coast, and days of installing neat stuff. See the articles in this newsletter: This is what club is about, enjoyment of the Mazda Miata and its members. Every month before each General Meeting, I exclaim with enthusiasm our cause. Your attendance and continued participation at the numerous events is the very proof of the popularity of the finest affordable sports car in the world. A side benefit has been the friendships developed. Thanks

ROBIN’S NEST - ROBIN GEORGE

SACRAMENTO AREA MIATA OWNERS ASSOCIATION! NOVEMBER, 2009

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COLORS - MIKE D.While on the Stewart’s Point run Graeme Kinsey said “let’s argue about why the Mahogany is, arguably, the most beautiful color Miata ever created”. The time wasn’t right so I said I would get back to him. Having now given this weighty topic some thought here is why I, and the three thousand other lucky Mahogany owners, know this to be true. Let me compare the Mahogany with a few of the other popular colors.

1. Classic Red. A great sports car color and the color of my first Miata. However, red cars are given more speeding tickets than any other color. Not good.

2. Emerald Mica. Another beautiful color but I once read that resale values on Green cars is less than others. My second Miata was the 1999 Emerald Mica.

3. Yellow. I like to have a yellow Miata as the sweep car when I am leading an event because they are easy to see. A nice color if you’re driving a taxi cab but a Miata? Nope.

4. Montego Blue. If you look at it one way it appears to be blue and from another angle it appears to be green. Make up your mind Miata. Did you mean it to be blue or green?

5. Silver and White. Nice colors – they don’t show dirt easily. Other than that - BORRRRING!

6. Black. Actually black is defined as the absence of color plus it has negative connotations – Black Monday Stock Market crash, October 19, 1987.

7. Mica Merlot, Black Cherry Mica, Garnet Red. All gorgeous colors and if it weren’t for the Mahogany any one of them might be, arguably, the most beautiful color Miata ever created.

8. British Racing Green. Another boring color but everything in England is bland. The last exciting anything that came out of England was the 1963 Profumo Affair.

9. Evolution Orange. There is a reason why they only made 646 of these puppies. There are only 646 color blind Miata owners.

10. Mariner Blue. Some people call Miatas “sissy cars” and this color has more to do with that misconception then anything else.

So there you have it, Graeme. Irrefutable proof that Mahogany is the most beautiful Miata color - ever. Mike

MMMM... THE SMELL OF HIGH OCTANE RACING FUEL AND BURNING RUBBER... - MARK BROOKSA couple weeks ago, an old friend called me up to let me know he’d be coming up to Sacramento from the East Bay Area to go to the Drag Strip (Sacramento Raceway) with another one of our old friends. It’s been years since I’ve seen either of these guys, and we always used to hang out at Auto Shop in High School together, and do some unofficial drag races of our own on weekends late at night. They’re both still into the old American muscle car scene - one of them with a ’69 Camaro and the other with a ’70 Nova. They were bringing the Nova up to the drag strip to do some tuning on a new engine they just put together. So, I paid my $5.00 spectator fee to get in, and get my fix of high-octane exhaust and the smell of molten tires. Hanging out with some old friends at the strip was also a blast.. seeing my friend launch his Nova, pulling the front tires off the ground by 4 or 5 inches and getting a very respectable 12.38 second run in the quarter mile (with a naturally aspirated small block V8) was a blast. I forgot how much fun it was to go hang out at the ‘test and tune’ races .. just watching ‘normal’ people take their cars out and thrash them. Of course... I took photos!

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DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH - MIKE DA good friend, Lou, was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. The reason I mention this is to bring awareness to the warning signs, as Lou said he was not, should this happen to you.

The top warning signs:1. Frequent urination2. Unquenchable thirst3. Losing weight without trying4. Weakness and fatigue5. Tingling and/or numbness in your hands,

legs or feet6. Other signs

a. Blurred visionb. Dry or itch skinc. Cuts and bruises that take a long

time to heal

Lou had lost 15 pounds in a week without eating or exercising any differently, was always thirsty and was constantly tired. Once discovered he was in the ICU for three days and partially lost his vision for six weeks.

November is American Diabetes Month. Learn more about one of the fastest growing diseases by going to www.diabetes.org or by talking with your physician.Mike

Memberships Expiring November 1Beeman, LauraBlack, Cat and Ken JohnsonBrooks, MarkDunne, GaryJurach, Tom and AnnePokadko, Vlad and AngelaYerzy, Byron and Susan

Memberships renewed during OctoberParker, Jack and SallyKelly, Richard and Carolyn LayfieldCsik, Phil and GenellHoughton, RitaVance, EricFolsom, JohnPenfield, Larry and BarbaraGingrich, Michael and KristenCorreia, DeniseTyer, Tom and Cameron

SAMOA stats127 Memberships, 206 members, 134 Miatas

TREASURE TROVE - JEANNE GEORGE

THE 9TH ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR RUN - JACK PARKERThe 9th Annual Teddy Bear/Toy Run to benefit the Children's Receiving Home is scheduled for November 14, 2009, starting at 9:00 AM at the Starbucks located at 4332 Watt Avenue. The new start location was chosen with the idea of dropping the toys and bears off at the Children’s Home while on the route. We have been doing the this event for the past eight years but have never had the members go by the home to see what it looks like and where it is. So this year we will meet near the home and travel to it. And for the first time in many years we will even be led by a Miata. After dropping off the toys at the home on Auburn Blvd. we will be regrouping in Auburn and traveling along a nice twisty road on our way to lunch in Placerville. For those unknowing, the run provides much needed help to the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento located at 3555 Auburn Boulevard in Sacramento. The usual donation is a teddy bear and a toy item for their annual Christmas program. These toys will be selected from a wish list to be provided by the home. The bears are given to little children with the hope that it will calm them when they arrive at the home. The suggested list of toys will be published on the website in the next few days.0These children come to the Home from various, usually traumatic, situations and our run helps to provide these often innocent victims a little more comfort during the Holidays. Please join us on November 14th for a great ride, lunch and a donation to the home. RSVP to culdad@svics.com by November 10, 2009 as the restaurant needs to know in advance. For more information contact Jack at the above address or call (916) 608 2006

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COSMO - THE FORGOTTEN MAZDA - ADI DAMANIA

No, I am not referring to Cosmo Kramer, the clumsy character with upright frazzled curly hair in the 90s TV sitcom “Seinfeld”. But to a car that is now considered the most neglected classic in the world. Only six made it to the U.S. of which only two still exist; one is owned by Jay Leno, the TV comedian, and the other by MAZDA, USA.

Jay Leno says “I have always been attracted to engineering oddities. You know, things that get the job done in a different way than most. And I'm especially partial to out-of- the-ordinary engines. So it just seems natural that sooner or later I'd own a car with a rotary engine. And I do: a MAZDA Cosmo Sport”. "A what?" you say.

The two-seat Cosmo (first shown at 1964 Tokyo Motor Show) is powered by a 110-hp, two-rotor Wankel engine. The rotary was the brainchild of Felix Wankel, a self-taught German tinkerer who never went to college. He made the first rotary prototype in the late '50s for NSU, a German motorcycle and car manufacturer eventually bought out by Volkswagen. For a while in the '60s, it looked to some like the rotary would be the engine: light, small and only a handful of parts. Several carmakers paid Wankel for the rights to use the rotary. But they all ran into the same problem: The seals on the edges of the rotors didn't last. As the seals wore, power went down while gas consumption and emissions went up. Some even joked that the Cosmo consumed almost as much oil as gas! NSU made the now collectable RO88 car with the rotary engine and for a brief period it was popular in Europe.

Every car maker in the world but MAZDA gave up trying to get the rotary to work in the real world. The company spent a great deal of money on the problem and, as the story goes, one Japanese engineer looked at the carbon at the end of his pencil and thought, "Maybe carbon seals would work." It's an interesting comment on the culture of the company that the engineer who led the rotary team, Kenichi Yamamoto, would eventually rise to be its chairman. The rotary became reliable and a staple of MAZDA products. The company is still developing the rotary and is even working on alternate-fuel versions.

But back in the '60s, the rotary was considered an automotive novelty or an oddity, depending who you were talking to. So was the Cosmo. Chances are you've never even seen one (I have not, and I have seen a lot of cars). Very few (six) made it to the United States. For one thing, the Cosmo was built for the Japanese market--that means right-hand drive. When MAZDA initially came to the States, it was with little economy cars. Their ads said "... and MAZDAs go hhhmmm." In the ads Japanese guys were dressed like the Beatles and Japanese girls wore go-go boots and they were playing wild music and jumping up and down.

There have been four generations of MAZDA automobiles which went by the name of Cosmo, although they are not all particularly related. All were Grand Tourers, with the first proving a successful launch for the MAZDA Wankel engine and acting as a halo vehicle for the new MAZDA brand. Later Cosmos competed in the ultra-high luxury performance market in Japan with the final JC Cosmo (1990-1995) sold as the Eunos Cosmo - Eunos was a luxury sales channel similar to Toyota's Lexus brand. Almost none made it to the U.S. and one neglected and forlorn sample is shown in the photo below.

I owned the second generation of the Cosmo (aka MAZDA 929 Hardtop in some markets) when I was working in the Near-East. It was a great car and gave me no problems even though it had almost 200,000 kms on the odometer. Mine was a piston engine version, the Cosmo 1800, that used a 1769cc (80x88mm) straight-4 SOHC engine that produced 100 hp (75 kW) and 110 ft.lbf (149 Nm) of torque. It did not have blistering acceleration but could cruise all day long at 90 mph in fifth gear. It was very light and the body’s metal as so thin that I shudder to think what would happen in a high-speed accident, especially since there were no air-bags at that time in the car. Nevertheless it was a great car with a futuristic instrument panel incl. a LED tachometer.

In 1968, MAZDA went racing with the Cosmo. They selected one of the most grueling tests in Europe to prove the reliability of the rotary engine, the 84-hour Marathon de la Route at the legendary Nürburgring circuit in Germany. Two mostly-stock Cosmos were entered, along with 58 other cars. One major change to the cars' 10A engines was the addition of a novel side- and peripheral-port intake system: A butterfly valve switched from the side to the peripheral port as RPMs increased. The engines were limited to 130 PS to improve durability. The cars ran together in fourth and fifth place for most of the race, but the all-Japanese car was retired with axle damage in the 82nd hour. The other car, driven by Belgians, completed the race in fourth overall. This was to be the only racing outing for the Cosmo. But the outcome had a tremendous impact for the sportscar industry. MAZDA had proved that rotary engines were reliable and that led to the development of the RX-5, RX-7, and the RX-8, which despite high fuel consumption is popular with the younger generation of today! And you do not have to be a Jay Leno or a Jerry Seinfeld to own one.

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BIRTHDAY PICNIC CELEBRATION - JEANNE GEORGEThis year’s picnic celebration at the Windwalker Winery was a big success. Seventy-five hungry people were treated to BBQ tri-tip lunch catered by Incahoots from Plymouth.

The morning began early for Helen & Mike DeLaurentis, Pam & Randy Hunt, Terri & Bob Bacon, Jenn Sipe, Diana Loo, Robin and I. We arrived at the winery at 9 am to start decorating the driveway entrance and the grounds, putting up signs, banners, filling helium balloons, setting up tables, chairs, and getting the registration area organized. Thanks to Helen and Mike the group was treated to donuts and hot coffee on that brisk morning. The group helped unload Mike’s and Robin’s trucks loaded with supplies. Several of the ladies began filling the helium balloons but were standing too close to the tree branches which would pop the balloons as they filled them. After popping 3 or 4 of them, they realized what was causing them to pop. Thanks to all the help we had, the set up work process went smoothly. We even had time for some wine tasting before the other members arrived.

Miles away, Ellen Frosch and Rod Gonzalez began meeting Miata people at the designated group drive area. Twenty-four Miatas arrived for the drive to the winery which Mike and Helen had designed. They were divided into two groups and headed out. By the time all the members arrived, 38 Miatas were spread out through the parking lot, overflow area, and some parked among the vines.

Members cleared registration, received their money back, and received a wrist band which entitled them to a discount on any wine purchases. Some people headed to the tasting room, others played bean bag toss, or chatted with friends. Several of the newer

members told me they appreciated how welcome they felt.

After lunch, the water grenade toss for charity started. For a $1 donation to the Lupus Foundation, the thrower got to choose between Robin or Mike to sit under the gazebo for the dousing. The line formed fast with eager participants with money in their hands. Then the owners of the winery, Alana and Jim offered bottles of wine to anyone else that would sit under the gazebo and allow people to throw the balloons at them. Skip Noyes, Mark Brooks, and Phil Csik took them up on the offer. Alana offered me $10 for one balloon toss at Phil…so since it wasn’t me, I said “Sure!” We ran out of the water grenades so Bob Bacon collected the unused helium balloons and Robin and helpers began filling them. Meanwhile the throwers were continuing to line up. The water grenades exploded on impact but the helium balloons often bounced off their intended victim. With many laughs and many misses, this opportunity yielded $100 for the Lupus Foundation.

Special guests at the event were original SAMOA Founder Ray Olmstead and his wife Sue. They live in Oregon but were in the Placerville area the weekend of the picnic and asked if they could join us. Ray gave the group some background history of the club. Robin introduced Walt and Joelle Kern to the group. Walt works on Miatas in his shop in El Dorado near Poor Reds. It turned out that Walt was Ray’s mechanic for years, and Ray returned again to him the day before the picnic. Walt invited members to contact him for Miata service work.

Robin, Mike and I want to thank all the people that stayed afterwards to help with the clean-up. When the work was done the group sat around and enjoyed a couple bottles of wine courtesy of Robin and Mike.

BREADSTICKS AND STICKSHIFTS - MICHELLE THOMASI like to eat when I drive. For me, it's hard NOT to munch while being a passenger on a long road trip. Passenger status allows me to pretty much eat anything I want to pack along. This is not good for my waistline, which has been growing inch by inch over the last few years. So I actually love to drive any vehicle, especially our Miata. Not only does it keep my hands engaged, it keeps my mind on the road. A very good thing when driving such a small vehicle.

Some would say that driving a Miata should be relished as a pure experience, no distractions...Jinba Ittai and all that. I had a midsize motorcycle back in my college days and driving a Miata, especially an older model, feels much like the motorcycle experience to me...horse and rider are one. We're small, low profile and seem to come out of nowhere. People just don't pay attention to us or they think we're obnoxious little turds. So while I've never witnessed a motorcyclists eating and drinking while operating their projectile, and I most certainly never did, I'd like to think that operating a Miata offers a little leeway in that department.

This brings me to sharing with you, here and now, my eating-while-shifting experiences which have held up particularly well in the real world. First and foremost, I can't say enough good things about dry, crunchy foods...particularly breadsticks. I'm not talking about the soft, warm, high calorie, buttery kind from The Olive Garden. Oh no! While delicious, they require too much attention and they do not hold up well under the rigors of shifting. I'm talking about the good old fashioned, old world style breadsticks. They're sturdy. They pack a lot of crunch with minimal calories and salt. They don't get my fingers messy. I can hold one between my fingers like a cigar or cigarette while shifting. A few crumbs, but no hot ashes in my face. (No, I don't smoke anything, but I can only imagine). Most importantly, after a particularly harrowing series of turns on myperfect back road run and I've dropped my breadstick on the floor, I can simply wait for a straightaway, pick up my breadstick, hold it up in the wind to blow it off (10 second rule) and continue to much away!

My hands are clean, my shift knob is clean, I haven't packed on a lot of calories. And I've satisfied my overwhelming desire to eat while driving on a long road trip without the dangerous distractions of a messy cheeseburger (been there). It really doesn't get any better than breadsticks!

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ABBOTT AND COSTELLO .. COMPUTER SHOPPING - BY ELLEN FROSCHIf Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, "Who's on First?" might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W".

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

A few days later.

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store.. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on "START"...........

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CHARLES SCHULZ MUSEUM - MIKE DIt was a dark and stormy night……..oh wait, that’s another story.

It was a beautiful October morning with 14 Miatas and 26 Miataphiles assembling at the Davis McDonalds. The Freeway traffic was heavy but moved nicely and we made it to the Charles Schulz Museum in less time then expected. After taking the obligatory group picture and getting checked in we started a very nice, private tour of the museum. Following the tour we had lunch in the Warm Puppy Café, visited the gift shop and old museum, then for those who wanted to learn more went back to the museum to look and read a little more.

Everyone departed at different times leaving the Hunts and us as the last ones to leave. We took the scenic route back, stopping at a winery, grabbing a great BBQ sandwich in Calistoga, then driving around Lakes Hennessey and Berryessa. There weren’t any bicycles or much traffic in the late afternoon so the drive back was enjoyable.

Thanks to everyone who came along on this trip which I’ve been thinking of doing for several years. It underscores what we always say which is if there is some place that you find interesting it is almost certain that a number of other SAMOANs will agree with you and come along. Keep looking for fun places and take us on a run.

Mike DeLaurentis

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WREATH PURCHASE FOR A VETERAN - JEANNE GEORGERemember the fallenHonor those who serveTeach our children the value of freedom

With Veteran’s Day coming up t h i s m o n t h , h e r e i s a n opportunity for you to do something to honor a family member or someone you don’t know.

Wreaths Across America, is a nationwide December event which honors our Nation’s fallen heroes. Wreaths adorned with red ribbons are placed on the graves of our fallen soldiers at National Cemeteries. Sixteen years ago, the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine began by donating and placing wreaths a t the Arl ington Cemetery. Through sponsorship and donations the tradition has spread to include other National Cemeteries. Worchester continues to supply the wreaths for nationwide distribution.

The program goal is to be able to place a wreath at each soldier’s headstone. Wreaths Across American is raising money thru sponsorship of wreaths and donations to help fulfill it’s

mission. Both the Arlington Wreath Project and Wreaths Across America profess no political or religious agenda - but rather wish to remember and honor our veterans during the holidays - a time of traditional family gatherings - and teach our children that we are able to do so, in peace, because of the many sacrifices made by our military men and women.

The wreaths measure 20” in diameter and feature a hand tied red velveteen bow. The cost is $15. You can request delivery to a specific National Cemetery or you can request the wreath to be shipped to the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. Deadline to order in November 20th to insure arrival for the Ceremony on December 12th.

If you would like to purchase a w r e a t h g o t o h t t p : / /www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

A HERO’S RETURN - JEANNE GEORGE

On Saturday, October 10th a group of 20 friends, family, and SAMOA members gathered at the Sacramento International Airport. They were there to welcome home Dylan Hunt from his recent tour of duty in Iraq. Dylan is the son of SAMOA’s Pam and Randy Hunt. He is currently assigned to a unit in Anchorage, Alaska, and after a two week break he returns for the winter.

Robin made “Welcome Home” signs and passed them out to those in attendance. Helen and Mike DeLaurentis and Robin handed out American flags to the group. The anxious group cheered loudly from a distance as Dylan descended the stairs. But proud Mom could not be held back with the others and she ran to her son. Another young service man arrived on the same plane and was greeted with cheers by our group as well. Other passengers and visitors stopped to watch the group and joined in the welcoming celebration.

We wish Dylan the best as he finishes him commitment to the Army.

LUPUS FOUNDATION COLLECTION - JEANNE GEORGE As a result of donations from SAMOA members and the enthused water balloon tossers, a total of $550 was collected for the Lupus Foundation. A check will be provided to a Lupus representative at the November meeting. Thank you to all that supported this worthy cause.

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SAMOA TECH DAY - JACK PARKERO n O c t o b e r 2 7 , s o m e 2 4 a d v e n t u r e s o m e m e m b e r s o f SAMOA gathered at the Collector Car Garage, owned by Mark Masterson. Mark is an interesting guy in that he jumped head first into the car restoration business several years ago after spending many years in sales. He appreciates the kind of enthusiasm people show for the car hobby and mentioned that our club really demonstrated the kind of excitement about cars that he gets turned on about. Mark opened his facility for six hours of work on various aspects of the Miata anatomy.Bob Bacon probably set a world record for the installation of a cold air intake on his beautifully done NC. The job was to be done, per directions, in about three hours. Bob finished the work, with Mark Brooks help, in about one and a half hours. Considering the front end was totally off that was amazing.The youngest member, but certainly the most enthusiastic, Austin Self learned how to take apart his suspension, dismantle the springs in a rather creative way, and install new Tein springs and KYB shocks. Eric Vance took on the job of instruction and certainly showed his expertise in this task. Many thanks to Eric for his time in making this job a successful one.Dennis Swaney replaced an old header with a new Jackson Racing CARB approved header and had the car up and down on one of the two available lifts a bunch of times. Along with those jobs a new top went mostly on an NA and brake and clutch fluid were also changed with the help of Mark, again Eric and Dave “Crazy Red” DeNuzzo. Just what Dave likes to do on his day off.We had about 24 total members participate with most coming to get a little education on different projects. Skip Noyes had his boss’ Spec Miata on display all day. Lunch was provided by Subway and their Five Dollar Footlongs. Everyone remarked about what a nice facility Mark has developed. For those who

helped clean up and button up the facility Mark fired up his Reed Sorenson #41 Winston Cup Car and did some burnouts in the massive parking lot. Lots of noise and smoke. We owe a big thank you to all who helped and a special thanks to Eric Vance, Dave DeNuzzo and Mark Masterson for making this day a huge success. There is talk of doing another one in the spring at maybe another location so if you know of any location willing to put up with us for a day let me know.

SAMOA is continuing its program to send necessary articles to our service men and women who are deployed to combat zones. The club pays for the packaging and postage and we are asking members to donate items. Bring the items to each meeting and we will take care of mailing them. The articles that are welcomed and needed are:

Beef Jerky Black Medium Weight Socks --- Their combat boots wear them out

Disposable Cameras

Chapstick with Sunscreen

Sunscreen -–Solid and in a stick or lotion

Unsweetened and pre-sweetened dry drink mixes that can be added to water

Gloves with and without removable fingers

Different size Ziploc bags and containers to store their goodies in

DVDs Razors for Men & Women Unscented Lotion Foot PowderMagazines Unscented, pre-moistened

wipesShaving Cream Cookies

Trail Mix Canned dips and cheeses Games Hats & ScarvesPhone Cards Different kinds of potato

chips Slippers Ink Pens & Paper

Crystal Ice Canned Foods (Tuna, etc.) Hard candy Ear plugsSalami/ Pepperoni

Black & White Plain T-Shirts of all sizes

Ready-To-Eat Soups – Just add hot water

Pop Tarts

Batteries Plastic forks, spoons and knives

Dental Floss Crackers

Journals Wearable Heat Packs Toothpaste TweezersGranola Bars Dry Cereal Mouthwash Holiday Decorations

Phone Calling cards- these are best ordered on line from the military shopping site www.aafes.com. This is a military shopping site where family and friends can purchase the cards. Most of the phone cards available for purchase elsewhere have little value for overseas calling. For example a 1000 minute AT&T card is only good for about 90 minutes of actual talking time due to the additional changes. The cards you purchase from AAFES, made specifically for Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, get around 125 minutes on a 550 minute card and for less money.

We would also like the names and addresses of other service men and women serving in combat areas whom you know, and who are family and friends. We will send subsequent packages to them.

If you don’t have time to shop or are not sure which of the above items are most needed feel free to donate a few dollars which we will use to purchase items that are in short supply.

Questions? Call or email Mike DeLaurentis at 916.791.9418 or mdelaurentis@hotmail.com.